Cedar is an incredibly popular natural wood option for home siding. Cedar siding typically needs to be repainted every 5-7 years. However, if you take some special precautions, you can get up to 10 years from one paint application. It is always important to ensure that you are properly cleaning and maintaining the surface.
If you want to be certain that your cedar siding paint job will hold up for as long as possible, there are a few steps you can take. In this article, we will walk you through each of them and help you get the most out of your cedar siding paint job.
Paint and Primer Selection
Standard exterior paint will not be sufficient for getting a quality paint job on cedar siding. Cedar is an incredibly porous wood and will soak up standard paint relatively quickly. This means that a thinner layer will be left on the outer layer of the wood. Also, it will be more prone to cracking and deterioration from the elements.
To get the most out of your cedar siding paint job, we often prime it with a stain blocking primer. Preferably, we remove the siding first and get a coat of primer on all six sides of the slats
For your topcoat, we often will recommend a 100% acrylic-latex paint. This is a thick, weather resistant paint that will thoroughly cover the cedar and fill in any pores or imperfections in the wood.
Proper Application
When we apply the paint to your cedar siding, we can use a brush, sprayer, or a roller. We usually spray then back roll the paint. A hand brush will allow us to apply the thickest coat of paint, which will help fill in any pores or gaps.
If your cedar siding is new, it’s best to paint it within two weeks of installing it. Cedar that is exposed to the sun and weathered will not hold onto the coating as well as fresh cedar.
Climate Concerns
Cedar is incredibly susceptible to damage from the sun. When exposed to large amounts of sunlight, cedar siding will start to turn grey. It can also become dry and brittle. This will greatly affect the longevity of the paint job. This can potentially lead to cracking or flaking prematurely if you live in a climate with a lot of sun and dry conditions.
Cedar siding’s vulnerability to the elements is why you will want to make sure yours is properly prepared and painted with the highest quality paint available. A thorough primer coat and 100% acrylic-latex paint can help protect the siding from the sun. Ultimately keeping the wood underneath it in good condition as it ages.
Van Isle Paint can help you get the most out of your cedar siding paint job and ensure that it stays beautiful for many years to come. With our professional painting services, we can assist with choosing the right paint and make sure it is applied correctly to promote the longest possible life.
Sincerely,
Van Isle Paint
Victoria, BC, and Beyond
(250) 412-3885
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